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San Antonians love a parade. They also cherish the role the military has played — and continues to play — in the city's history. Now, thanks to the Paseo del Rio Association, residents will have the opportunity to celebrate a parade and the military at the same time.

On Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the association will launch the inaugural Military River Parade. The parade will consist of 25 floats recognizing the military service branches, veterans of the nation's most recent conflicts and military support groups. Most of the floats will also feature live music.

As part of its contractual obligation with the city to program some two dozen events along the river, the Paseo del Rio Association is adding the Military River Parade as an annual event coinciding with Armed Forces Day. The theme of this year's parade is “Here's to Our Heroes.” Its grand marshal is Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and the commander of U.S.Army North.

The parade will follow the same route along the San Antonio River as the Texas Cavaliers' River Parade. After the parade, the salute to the military will continue with a free concert in HemisFair Park by country artist Tracy Lawrence.

While the parade is free, reserved seats are available at the Arneson River Theater for $15, along the extension of the River Walk near the Chamber of Commerce Building for $10 and at the Rivercenter mall lagoon for $10. For tickets and additional information, visit thesanantonioriverwalk.com or call 210-227-4262.

The Fiesta river parade regularly draws in excess of 200,000 spectators — close to 300,000 this year, according to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. Military City USA should seize the opportunity to make the Military River Parade another distinguished event on the San Antonio community calendar.